Adelaide: Australia have set their sights on exacting revenge on Jordan after setting up a decisive duel in next Tuesday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifier by thrashing Tajikistan 7-0 on Thursday.
The Socceroos were in fine form at the Adelaide Oval as goals from Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan, as well as doubles by Nathan Burns and Tom Rogic handed them a handsome victory.
The result keeps them on top of Group B but Jordan’s 8-0 rout of Bangladesh later that evening means just two points separate the top two ahead of Tuesday’s final qualifier at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Australia will finish top, and advance to the next round of World Cup qualifying as well as book their place at the 2019 Asian Cup, as long as they avoid defeat, but they were beaten 2-0 by the Jordanians in their previous meeting (pictured) in Amman last October.
Nonetheless, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou believes his players have come a long way since then and is backing them to make amends following their commanding display against Tajikistan.
“We were nowhere near the standard we wanted to be,” Postecoglou said on their official website, in respect to their 2-0 loss.
“And I said at the time we put some guys out there who hadn't played in that sort of atmosphere before and they learnt a hell of a lot.
“And the test will come on Tuesday how much they’ve learnt.
“But having said that, we’re at home now. And I don’t care who we’re up against at home and I don’t care who they’ve got up front.
“I expect us to dominate the game and win it.”
Postecoglou was referring in particular to Jordan striker Hamza Al Daradreh, who produced an inspired display back in October and also netted a first-half hat-trick against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Likewise, Australian forward Burns – who currently plies his trade in Japan with FC Tokyo – believes they will have no lack of motivation on getting a positive result.
“I think we’re going to be really hungry for this game,” revealed the 27-year-old. “Obviously we want to get revenge for the last game.
“We were very disappointed we lost that game so we’re going to go there (to Sydney) with an attacking intent.
“We’ve been waiting for this game since we lost there. I think everyone is fired up and it’s going to be a good game.
“They’re obviously going to come here and try to get the points as well because they want to be top of the group so it’ll probably be the game of the round.”
Australia are the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions having beaten Korea Republic 2-1 in the final of the 2015 edition, and have also qualified for the last three World Cups.
Photo: AFP
Source: the-afc.com